Systems and methods for detecting overhead line motion

A method of detecting a structural failure of a power line, comprising:

• receiving data from an accelerometer corresponding to movement of a power line;
• analyzing the data to determine distance excursion data;
• analyzing the distance excursion data to determine whether the power line is falling;
• and
• responding to a falling power line with a real-time action
• wherein the accelerometer is coupled to the power line;
• and
• where the real-time action includes depowering the power line prior to an impact.

A method of actively damping overhead line movement, comprising:

• receiving data from an accelerometer corresponding to movement of an overhead line;
• analyzing the data to determine displacement data corresponding to a displacement of the overhead line;
• analyzing the displacement data to determine if the overhead line needs damping;
• delivering control data to a damping device configured to reduce motion of the overhead line, wherein the control data is configured to control overhead line damping;
• and
• damping the overhead line using the damping device;
• wherein determining displacement data includes determining amplitudes of vibrational modes.